Police, community and calendar briefs for June 18, 2013

Police said Monday that a man in jail accused of cashing a counterfeit check using his real name was facing two additional charges for the same offense.

Officials from Wells Fargo Bank in Ocala contacted the Ocala Police Department after two checks for more than $5,500 were cashed by Rodney Anderson in April. The checks were from a business in Orlando and were made out to Anderson. Neither check was authorized by the business, according to OPD reports.

Officers recalled that a man named Rodney Anderson was arrested May 30 for trying to cash a counterfeit check at Gateway Bank in Ocala. They compared his booking mug with photos taken at the Wells Fargo locations and determined it was the same person.

Anderson was still in the Marion County Jail on a charge of uttering a forged instrument, being held in lieu of a $5,000 bond. Officials said he also would be charged with grand theft and a second forgery charge.

Boat captain accused of boating under influence

A Sunday boating trip down the Ocklawaha River ended with four people abandoning ship after they said the vessel’s operator got upset and went for a machete.

It was unclear what set off Rex Crews, 51, but it was enough that the four passengers on the boat, including Crews’ daughter, decided it was safer in the water, according to Marion County Sheriff’s Office reports.

The four were picked up by a passing boat and the sheriff’s helicopter was able to spot Crews’ boat near Moss Bluff. Crews docked the boat and ran into the woods. He was eventually caught by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers and charged with boating under the influence.

Antique furniture reported stolen

A man reported over the weekend that $10,000 in antique furniture was stolen from a home he owns sometime in the past two weeks.

The man said he left for vacation on May 30 and returned Saturday to find the home in the 14000 block of Southeast 155th Street, which he inherited from his father, in disarray, according to Marion County Sheriff’s Office reports.

The man said items including a sideboard, china cabinet, old military uniforms, a desk and several tables were taken.

He said no one has lived in the home for about seven years due to a fire at the property that left the home smelling of smoke, reports state.

Anyone with information about the case can call the Sheriff’s Office at 732-9111 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP.

Report: Deputy finds drugs, weapon in car

A traffic stop on Monday morning ended with two people in jail, including one on charges of intending to sell marijuana and having a weapon in the car.

Desmond Davis, 23, was driving along the 4500 block of West State Road 40 when he failed to stop at a stop sign just before 3 a.m., according to Sheriff’s Office reports.

A deputy pulled him over and during the traffic stop, the officer noticed a strong smell of marijuana coming from the car. He later found six small plastic bags of marijuana in the car and a 9 mm handgun under Davis’ seat. Davis was also driving without a valid license, according to reports.

Davis was booked into the Marion County Jail on one count each of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, display of a firearm during a felony and knowingly driving with a suspended or revoked license.

A passenger in the car was also charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana.

COMMUNITY

Book signing Tuesday in downtown Ocala

Former Ocala resident and author Anton DiSclafani will appear at Shannon Roth Collection in downtown Ocala from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday to sign copies of her new novel, “The Yonalossee Riding Camp For Girls.” Released last week, the book is her debut novel and has received much attention in the national press.

Book reviewer Sherryl Connelly of the New York Daily News called the book “a lush story suited to lazy-day reading.”

Set in 1930, the book follows a 15-year-old equestrienne named Thea Atwell who has been cast out of her family due to her role in a tragedy.

Anton was raised in Ocala and now lives in St. Louis. Shannon Roth Collection is at 22 S. Magnolia Ave. Call 690-2121 for information.

The course fee is $40, which includes a workbook. The deadline to register is July 2.

For more information, call 873-5804, visit CFItraining.cf.edu or email CFI.CustomerCare@cf.edu.

Arabian Nights trip planned on June 27

The Barbara Washington Adult Activity Center is hosting a trip to Orlando on June 27 to see Arabian Nights. The tour will leave at 9 a.m. and return at 6 p.m.

The cost is $52 per person. Pre-paid registration is required.

For more information, call 629-8357 or 629-8545.

Walmart hiring 200 for new store

Walmart will hire approximately 200 associates to work at the new store slated to open this summer in Ocala near State Highway 464 and Midway Road. A temporary hiring center has opened at The Enterprise Center of the College of Central Florida, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala. The store will be hiring full- and part-time associates.

Applications will be accepted 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays, and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Fridays. Interested applicants may also apply online at http://careers.walmart.com.

Car washes benefit Hospice of Marion

Soapy’s Car Wash will donate $2 from every “Whale”-level car wash to Hospice of Marion County for cars washed any day at 1621 SW 19th Ave. Road or 11265 SW 93rd Court Road.

For more information, call 873-7400.

Homeowners can get mortgage help

The Ocala Housing Authority has assistance for homeowners who qualify through the Mortgage Foreclosure Preve ntion Assistance Program, which provides financial and housing counseling services and grant-funded financial assistance.

For more information, call 369-2235 or 369-2636.

Zoo animal program available in Bushnell

The Florida International Teaching Zoo will offer a zoo animal management program with veterinary assistant certification beginning in September at the teaching school, 4258 SW 52nd Terrace, Bushnell.